Regional

3:37 pm

Tue December 11, 2012

Off Road Group Sues National Forest

A statewide off-highway vehicle user group is suing the Santa Fe National Forest over its travel management plan.

The New Mexico Off Highway Vehicle Alliance filed the lawsuit in federal court Tuesday.

The group's president, Jim Tyldesley, says the complaint is being filed on behalf of all forest users. He contends the plan closes more than 70 percent of existing roads and trails on the northern New Mexico forest, significantly reduces camping options and makes it difficult for hunters to retrieve game.

The plan was signed by Forest Supervisor Maria Garcia in June. After a flurry of appeals, regional officials upheld the plan in October.

The off-highway group alleges that the forest violated federal environmental policies by adopting the plan.

A spokesman for the forest says officials have not yet been served with the lawsuit.